Banking on Green River Part III

Green River considers the railroad one of the assets to the community and a source for future growth.

The final session of the Green River Economic Summit held recently was the time to bring all the ideas together and decide on their order of importance.

Kresha Eastman was the facilitator assigned to this process. "It's time to do something different. It's time to do some work. You're going to have to do it," she said.

Christine Monroe has persevered and made positive changes in the community, and sometimes it was without a lot of support Eastman pointed out. Eastman said over the last 15 years a lot of money has been dumped into the community. "It's time to look at the future," said Eastman, "We need to embrace each others success. I believe we have a lot of potential, but we get sidetracked with the petty stuff."

Eastman encouraged the audience to be brave enough to make change and persevere until the goal is met. "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem," said Eastman.

Eastman told of the company she works for and some of their philosophies on business which she thinks can work for communities as well. "Hire the best people and then take care of them. I work for Hunt Oil and they hire the best people out there. They want to know what it will take to get you to work for them. Encourage dissenting opinions. There might be a better idea and you do not get fired for expressing your ideas. Hunt Oil rewards creativity with a bonus or a trip. They are always growing and always changing and looking for a better way," said Eastman.

Index cards were passed to the audience where they listed their goal for the community and what they would personally do to bring that goal about this year, next year and in three-five years. Participants shared their goals which Eastman recorded on large sheets of paper for display at the front of the room.

Goals included: Researching the possibility of a car distribution center in Green River; being positive about Green River's future; attending outdoor recreation conventions and representing Green River; partnering research for grants; acquiring the skill to open a new business; improve the marketing of Green River; open a synagogue; help correct misconceptions of Green River; promote Green River as an oasis in the desert; promote a sense of pride in the community; work to get land for the community complex; look for funding for the community complex; unify the community; create an enterprise zone and learn about the tax incentives and grant funding available for new businesses; see that the general city plan gets completed; be more involved in the community; work to see that John Wesley Powell Days becomes an annual event; work on the Main Street project and Historic Main Street project; provide a training for high school students on ethics and standards and help them become stakeholders in Green River's future; hold Superhost training; create a positive impression of the community; create an economic development council for Green River; work for funding for the economic development council; work towards better curb appeal and infrastructure; fix addressing problems; encourage Green River to become more involved in the county fair; work to see the Green River Chamber of Commerce succeed; work to see wage increases for services.

Everyone present was given three stickers to place on the goal which came closest to what they wish to accomplish in Green River.

The Green River Chamber of Commerce will compile the findings of the economic summit and put it in a usable form for summit goers. Summit goers went away from the summit viewing it as a positive experience and a building block for success for the Green River community.

Bill Adams, a retired photographer and Green River resident, wishes to make Green River an oasis and has very specific goals in mind for the community. Relatively simple things can bring about big improvements. As you enter into Green River from either the east or west interchange, he would like to see trees planted and a welcoming view as you enter into the town. He would like to see the revitalization of the downtown area and old buildings removed to add to the aesthetics of the downtown area.

Adams said you can start small with just painting and sprucing up the town. Groups can be organized to clean litter from the streets. Adams said donation jars can be put out at all the businesses to gather money to buy paint and get the ball rolling.

Adams would like to see a museum with historic relics from the bygone mining era and the missile site possibly placed by the shooting range. He would like to see planter boxes and flowers planted along Main Street. He would also like to see a Veterans Monument with the names of the veterans on a plaque.

Good ideas were plentiful at the summit and the implementation will take hard work and determination; something the Green River people know a lot about.